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Sindh Assembly passes bill against forced religious conversions

Karachi—Sindh Assembly unanimously passed on Thursday a law against forced conversion of religion in the province.
A private bill, Criminal Law (Protection of Minorities), was tabled by Pakistan Muslim League – Functional (PML-F) lawmaker Nand Kumar a year ago. It was referred to the standing committee for minority and human rights for feedback and has now been returned to the assembly. Sindh is the first assembly in Pakistan to pass the law.
“Forced conversion is an abhorrent and violent offence and an issue that has become prevalent across Sindh that must be eliminated by recognising the importance of tolerance, peace and respect for all religions and persons, irrespective of their religion,” the bill read.
The law will focus on recognising the right to freedom of religion of all persons, the right to freedom to marry and freedom of choice of marriage of all persons.
According to the bill, no person shall be deemed to have changed their religion until they attain the age of maturity, which is 18 years. Similarly, the decision of a minor to convert to another religion will not be recognised until they reach the age of maturity.
Defining the punishments for forced conversion, the bill states that any person who forcibly converts another person shall be liable to imprisonment ranging from five years to life and a fine will have to be paid to the victim.
Whoever performs or facilitates a marriage while having knowledge that either one or both the parties are victims of forced conversion shall be liable to imprisonment for a minimum of three years or a fine to be paid to the victim or victims.
“This shall also include any persons who have provided logistical support or any other essential services for the marriage ceremony,” states the law.
It adds that in a case of forced conversion, the accused shall also be liable for other offences, including kidnapping, abduction or compelling a woman for marriage.
Regarding the mechanism of complaints, the law states that the victim, any person authorised by the victim or an informer may present a petition regarding the forced conversion in a local court. “The court shall fix the first date of hearing, which shall not exceed seven days from the date of the receipt of the petition by the court,” said the law, adding that any case of forced conversion shall be disposed of in court within 90 days.
“The victim shall be given temporary residence in a shelter home of a service provider during the pendency of the trial,” states the bill. It further adds that the court may exercise its discretion in the interest of security to withhold information of the location of shelter home.